Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAMAGFR’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAMAGFR’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; moderate basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; and large cactus type inflorescences with yellow and red bi-colored ray florets.

Botanical designation: Dahlia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BKDAMAGFR’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahliaplant, botanically known as Dahlia hybrida and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘BKDAMAGFR’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Hillegom, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to create new large container Dahlia plants withlarge and attractive cactus type inflorescences.

The new Dahlia plant originated from a cross-pollination in September,2013 in Hillegom, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Dahliahybrida identified as code number FET.S12.014.015, not patented, as thefemale, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Dahlia hybridaidentified as code number FET.S12.006.004, not patented, as the male, orpollen, parent. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inHillegom, The Netherlands in October, 2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by vegetative terminalcuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, TheNetherlands since February, 2016 has shown that the unique features ofthis new Dahlia plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural conditions. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘BKDAMAGFR’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘BKDAMAGFR’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

-   -   1. Broadly upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderate basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.    -   3. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Large cactus type inflorescences with yellow and red        bi-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia are taller than plants of the female        parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia and the female parent selection        differ in ray floret color as plants of the female parent        selection have red-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the male parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia are shorter than plants of the male        parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia have shorter internodes than plants        of the male parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia and the male parent selection differ        in ray floret color as plants of the male parent selection have        orange yellow-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia hybrida‘XXL Sunset’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of thenew Dahlia differ from plants of ‘XXL Sunset’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Inflorescences of plants of the new Dahlia are cactus types        whereas inflorescences of plants of ‘XXL Sunset’ are semi-cactus        types.    -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia and ‘XXL Sunset’ differ in ray        floret color as plants of ‘XXL Sunset’ have salmon and yellow        bi-colored ray florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Dahlia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘BKDAMAGFR’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typicalflowering plant of ‘BKDAMAGFR’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the winter in 19-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and undercultural practices typical of commercial Dahlia production. During theproduction of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 17° C.to 19° C. Plants were pinched one time and were nine weeks old when thephotographs and description were taken. To induce inflorescenceinitiation and development, plants were grown under short nyctoperiod(long day) conditions. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAMAGFR’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia            hybrida identified as code number FET.S12.014.015, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia            hybrida identified as code number FET.S12.006.004, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 16 days at            temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 19 days at            temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 23 days            at temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 25 days            at temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate            temperature and physiological age of roots; tuber            development has not been observed on plants of the new            Dahlia.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Broadly upright and mounding plant            form; overall plant shape, flattened globular; moderate            basal branching habit with about five primary branches each            with about three secondary branches developing per plant;            inflorescences held above and beyond the foliar plane on            strong peduncles; bushy and dense growth habit; pinching is            not required but will improve branching habit; moderately            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 19.8            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 25.8            cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 32.5 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 12.4 cm. Diameter: About            6 mm. Internode length: About 3.2 cm. Aspect: Primary            branches are about 45° from vertical; secondary branches,            about 50° from primary branch axis. Strength: Moderately            strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color,            developing: Close to 143C. Color, developed: Close to 144A.-   Leaf & leaflet description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves opposite and simple or compound with            three or five leaflets.        -   Length, simple leaves.—About 10 cm.        -   Length, compound leaves.—About 13.5 cm.        -   Length, terminal leaflets.—About 11.3 cm.        -   Length, lateral leaflets.—About 8.3 cm.        -   Width, simple leaves.—About 6.1 cm.        -   Width, compound leaves.—About 12.8 cm.        -   Width, terminal leaflets.—About 4.9 cm.        -   Width, lateral leaflets.—About 3.7 cm.        -   Shape, simple leaves.—Ovate.        -   Shape, compound leaves in overall outline.—Ovate.        -   Shape, leaflets.—Ovate.        -   Apex, leaves and leaflets.—Apiculate.        -   Base, leaves and leaflets.—Attenuate.        -   Margin, leaves and leaflets.—Coarsely serrate.        -   Venation pattern, leaves and leaflets.—Pinnate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface, leaves and            leaflets.—Smooth, moderately pubescent; slightly velvety;            slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface, leaves and            leaflets.—Smooth, moderately pubescent; matte.        -   Color.—Developing leaves and leaflets, upper surface: Close            to between 141A and 143A. Developing leaves and leaflets,            lower surface: Close to 138A to 138B. Fully expanded leaves            and leaflets, upper surface: Close to between NN137A and            147A; venation, close to 144A. Fully expanded leaves and            leaflets, lower surface: Close to 191A; venation, close to            146B.        -   Petioles, leaves and leaflets.—Length: About 3.3 cm.            Diameter: About 3.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 146B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Large cactus type inflorescences            with ray and disc florets forming acropetally on a            receptacle; inflorescences positioned above and beyond the            foliar plane on strong peduncles; inflorescences face mostly            upright to slightly outwardly; freely flowering habit with            about 35 inflorescences develop per plant.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flowering response and flowering period.—Early flowering            habit, plants begin flowering about 41 days after planting;            plants flower continuously during the autumn into the winter            in The Netherlands.        -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good            substance for about ten days on the plant; inflorescences            persistent.        -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 1.7 cm. Diameter: About            1.2 cm. Shape: Ovoid. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            glossy. Color: Close to 144B; towards the base, close to            144A and towards the apex, close to 182D.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 9.8 cm. Depth (height):            About 6.1 cm. Disc diameter: About 9 mm, typically            inconspicuous.        -   Receptacles.—Height: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Shape: Pyramidal. Color: Close to 145B.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About 120 arranged in about six whorls. Length: About            4.7 cm. Width: About 1.3 cm. Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex:            Acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire; distally, strongly            revolute. Aspect: Varying from −35° to 40° from horizontal;            strongly convex. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; slightly glossy. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Close to 1A to 1B; towards the            apex, close to 42B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 1C            to 1D; fading towards the apex to close to 35C. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 1A to 1B; towards the apex,            close to 53A; venation, similar to lamina colors; colors do            not change with development. Fully opened, lower surface:            Close to 2C; fading towards the apex to close to 54C;            venation, similar to lamina colors; colors do not change            with development.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About ten massed at the center of the inflorescence in about            two spiral whorls; typically inconspicuous. Length: About            1.4 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Shape: Tubular, elongated;            apices, acute. Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, when opening, inner and            outer surfaces: Close to 14A to 14B; towards the base, close            to 145D. Color, fully opened, inner and outer surfaces:            Close to 154B to 154C; towards the base, close to 145D.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About six arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 1.3 cm.            Width: About 4 mm. Shape: Narrowly ovate. Apex: Acute. Base:            Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to NN137B.        -   Ray floret bracts.—Quantity per inflorescence and            arrangement: One subtending each ray floret. Length: About            1.9 cm. Width: About 6 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base:            Broadly cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to N144A; towards the base, close            to 144B.        -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 9 cm. Diameter,            terminal peduncle: About 3 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and            luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Close to            152A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium, present on disc florets            only: Quantity per floret: About five. Filament length:            About 2 mm. Filament color: Close to 150D. Anther shape:            Narrowly oblong. Anther length: About 4 mm. Anther color:            Close to 13A to 13B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color:            Close to 21A. Gynoecium, present on disc florets only:            Quantity per floret: One. Pistil length: About 1 cm. Style            length: About 2 mm. Style color: Close to 154C. Stigma            diameter: About 6 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft. Stigma color:            Close to 21B. Ovary color: Close to 145C. Seeds and fruits:            Seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants            of the new Dahlia to date.-   Disease & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Dahlia have    not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Dahlia plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dahlia have been observed    to tolerate high temperatures of about 35° C. and to be suitable for    USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAMAGFR’ asillustrated and described.